Tickle the funny bone

"Humor is the great thing, the saving thing. The minute it crops up, all our irritations and resentments slip away, and a sunny spirit takes their place."
- Mark Twain

Tickle the funny bone

Researchers in both psychology and the medical fields agree that laughing has a wide range if benefits for everyone. Laugh and your body releases chemicals that sooth, increase creativity and even foster healing of physical ailments. And, to top it all off, it feels darn good, whether it's a giggle, deep from-the-belly chuckle or an uncontrollable snort. You might be thinking, so what? Laughing is good, what can I do about? Well, you may think that we laugh when something is funny, and we can't force ourselves to chuckle when we just don't feel like it. While this is partly true, there are many ways we can "tickle our funny bone" and take full advantage of laughter.

Humor is not something reserved only for jokes, movies, or stand up comedians. Look at humor as an attitude, an openness to the silly. You can not only feed your sense of humor, but also stay open to the absurd in every situation. Whether you're facing stress at work or dealing with a nasty breakup, recognizing the comic side of things can help you keep perspective and even release steam. (Just be careful not to crack up at inappropriate moments; that can certainly backfire). Surround yourself with things you find funny - books, toys, people - and remind yourself not to take life too darn seriously. Giggle away!